Trump's Homeland Security Pick Clears Senate Hurdle

A Senate committee on Tuesday approved President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security in a bipartisan vote, teeing her up for a vote before the full Senate.

Lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 11-4 to approve the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen late Tuesday afternoon.

Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) was forced to delay the vote last week after Nielsen received nearly 200 follow-up questions from lawmakers after her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. If confirmed, Nielsen, who is currently Trump’s deputy chief of staff, will lead the agency charged with protecting America’s borders, guarding against cybersecurity threats, and spearheading disaster relief efforts.